Clergy Wellness Grant Programs (Be Still and Know Grants)

Clergy Wellness Grant Programs (Be Still and Know Grants) is sponsored by Church Benefits Association (CBA). These grants provide $5,000 to support an additional month of leave for clergy, beyond their regular sick leave and vacation time, when a congregation agrees to provide that leave. Funds may be used for travel, spiritual direction, counseling, meal service, or pulpit supply.

Our Purchasing Coalitions Applications and Information Clergy Wellness Grant Programs (2027 & 2028) The Church Benefits Association ( CBA) is pleased to offer two clergy wellness grant programs for 2027 & 2028, funded through a Lilly Endowment Hub Grant. These programs support member organizations in strengthening and expanding care for clergy.

Together, these opportunities focus on enhancing clergy well-being across spiritual, mental, physical, and financial dimensions. For full details on program structure, eligibility, funding, and timelines, please review the one-page overview. Clergy Wellness Grant Overview CBA Hub Grant Frequently Asked Questions There are two grant opportunities: Full Scale Denominational Grants and Be Still and Know Grants.

Can my organization apply for both this year? Yes. These are separate grant opportunities with distinct proposals.

Applying for or receiving one grant does not affect your eligibility to apply for or receive the other. Are the matching requirements the same for both programs? Yes.

The matching requirements are the same for both programs . What are potential sources of matching funds? Potential sources of matching funds may include denominational contributions, registration fees, fees for service, congregational contributions, fundraising, and endowment income.

Interest earned on grant fund holdings is not an eligible source of matching funds. Does the amount we apply for affect our chances of being funded ? Do the amount of matching funds we pledge affect our chances of being funded?

Funding decisions are based on multiple factors, not simply the dollar amount requested or the percentage of matching funds pledged. That said, proposals that demonstrate flexibility in scope or budget may be easier to fund, particularly when available resources do not allow all requests to be funded at their full amount. What are the restrictions on how grant funds can be used?

CBA grant funds must be used for programs and/or sub-grants that serve clergy within the United States. For purposes of this grant, the definition of clergy is based on the wording in your plan document. Grant funds should be prioritized for clergy serving congregations.

Matching funds, however, may be used more broadly, including to support clergy outside the United States or in non-congregational settings. How does the Be Still and Know grant work? Be Still and Know grants provide $5,000 to support an additional month of leave for clergy, beyond their regular sick leave and vacation time, when a congregation agrees to provide that leave.

To be eligible, the clergy person must be serving a church with average Sunday attendance of fewer than 125 and an annual budget under $200,000. Grant funds may be used in ways that support the month of leave, such as travel for the clergy person and/or family, spiritual direction, counseling, meal service, or pulpit supply. For approved proposals, funds will be awarded in a lum p sum to t he CBA member organization .

The memb er orga nization is responsibl e for distributing the grants in $5,000 increments according to its proposed process. Can we allocate grant funds for personnel for programming and/or administrative support of grant programs? Yes.

Grant funds may be used for personnel costs that are directly related to planning, implementing, and evaluating grant-supported programming. What is the timeline for spending grant funds? Grant funds must be spent within 18 months of receipt.

Can my organization apply for funds in 2027 and 2028? If my organization receives funding in 2027, will that affect our chances of receiving funding in 2028? Each application cycle will be reviewed on its own merits.

Prior funding may be considered as part of the overall review process, including factors such as program progress, use of prior funds, and the number of organizations seeking support . R eceivin g funding in one year does not automatically disqualify an organization from future funding. Will everyone who applies in 2027 receive a grant?

No. The Grant Oversight Committee has a maximum amount of $15,000,000 in grant funds they may recommend for disbursement in 2027. We anticipate receiving more grant requests than there will be funds available this year. If my organization applies for and does not receive funding in 2027, will that affect our chances of receiving funding in 2028?

Each proposal will be reviewed on its own merits. If you do no t receive funding in 2027 , you r or ganiz ation wi ll have access to tools and resou rces to help you craft a stronger propos al for 20 28 . What will reporting requirements look like?

Reporting requirements will include financial reporting, program updates, and participant assessment data. What are the terms of receiving grant funds ? The CBA member organization serves as the fiscal partner and is responsible for all reporting and assessments.

All clergy participating in a grant-funded program will complete an electronic assessment at the beginning and end of the program timeline and/or before a grant-funded program and one year after the program, whichever is longer. What information will we need to provide for the grant proposal? When the proposal criteria are made available, a link to that information will be provided here.

Can C BA staff revie w proposals p rior to submission ? No. To protect the integrity of the adjudication process, CBA staff can have conversations with CBA members about proposal ideas, but cannot review application documents. Wh at is the process after I submit my org anization’s propo sal?

Proposals will first be reviewed by CBA staff for completeness and then forwarded to the CBA Grant Oversight Committee for adjudication. The committee will recommend a slate of organizations for funding to the board in early November. All organizations will be notified of their application status in mid-November, and funds are expected to be available by the end of January 2027.

What cri t eria will t he G rant Oversig ht Com mittee be using to make decis ions ? A variety of criteria will be used to fund a cross-section of CBA organizations and kinds of clergy. Questions to consider as you shape a proposal: How has clergy experience, feedback, or perspective informed this proposal?

What need, opportunity, or challenge is this proposal designed to address? What kind of impact are you hoping for, and for whom? How does this proposal reflect the context and needs of the clergy you hope to serve?

What is promising or creative about this idea? If this approach is different from your organization’s usual work, what gives you confidence it is worth trying? What staffing c apacity will support this work effectively?

W h o are the partn ers and s ervice provi ders who will be engagi ng with your cler gy ? How will clergy be invited into the opportunity in ways that are clear and relevant? H ow might thi s progra mming compliment how you understa nd your organization’s mi ssion ?

Rev. Dr. Victoria White, Vice President of Grants and Programs — [email protected] Rev. Billy Norden, Assistant Vice President of Grants and Programs — [email protected] Purchasing Coalition Partners >> Modules Anywhere >>> --> 3500 Vicksburg Lane N, Suite 140